Roo knew Fleur was laughing out of pure evil delight, and the way her laugh echoed through the canyon path, through the chasm, above the bangs and booms of the charging minotaurs …
Somehow he already felt less sorry about chaining her up bare in the scale now. Her strawberries and cream scent, plus that hint of serpent now, be extra, extra cautious of her, and whatever she was scheming.
But the charging minotaurs and their dire ogre boss came first.
Roo already ruined the drawbridge and too many logs by the gatehouse, but if these darkspawn had reached the canyon path, then what happened to Crow and their companions?
“Raz,” Roo said, “Go check on everyone.”
Raz cooed. Still on Roo’s head beneath the cowl.
“Then who will check on you?” Raz said.
“I’ll handle myself for a bit,” Roo said, “And this wave of darkspawn. Quick. Before–”
All the minotaurs suddenly stopped midcharge.
Roared.
Shaking everything. The walls. The ground. The canyon.
But only the canyon walls beyond the dire ogre collapsed.
“Looks like–” Raz said.
“Go!” Roo said, “They aren’t the only ones who can play this Ruin the Wall game.”
And Roo cracked his knuckles.
More confident than what his racing heart felt.